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Summit to tackle issues related to transit

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To learn more about the June 4 transit summit or to register, visit mccmichigan.org.

Local religious leaders continue to lead an effort to bridge the political and social gaps in the development of a regional transit system.

On June 4, the Metro Coalition of Congregations of the Harriet Tubman Center will join WDET 101.9 FM host Craig Fahle, business leaders and members from the Regional Transit Authority for a transit summit at the Detroit Zoo.

The summit, "Better Transit, Better Business," is designed to spur meaningful conversation about regional transit as it relates to job access, economic development, talent attraction and investment, the group said in a news release.

"Improving transit in Southeast Michigan is essential to the region's economy. So now is the time to get involved," the Rev. Louise Ott, pastor of the Congregational Church of Birmingham, chairwoman of MCC's Regional Transit Committee and member of the RTA's Citizen's Advisory Committee, said in a release.

"We know we need to build partnerships with the business community and local officials to ensure the transit system connects the four-county region, meets the needs of a diverse constituency, and is a system voters are willing to invest in," Ott said.

Marie Donigan, partner at Royal Oak-based Donigan McLogan Consultants LLC, said the summit will give business leaders and local governments the opportunity to tell the transit authority how a transit system could benefit communities.

The MCC held a regional transit system rally in March at the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham.

Eight churches in Oakland and Macomb counties make up the organization.